he issued a statement saying the protest were broken up according to the law. the largest opposition leader aung san suu kyi went to the site on thursday night. she called on both sides to seek settlement. >> translator: i want to solve this problem peacefully and in a dignified manner. i want to request that all of you help me on this. >> reporter: the copper mine is being jointly developed by chinese company and the firm linked to the military. the decision to force an end to the demonstration was likely made out of consideration for china. infrastructure projects including the new airport have benefitted from chinese money. the two countries built cross ties for myanmar and constrained by western sanctions. investments from china totalled $1.4 billion over the past two decades. but myanmar has been reducing its dependence on china, shifting its focus towards the united states and europe. democratic and economic reforms have encouraged the west to end sanctions. china and the united states are competing for influence in southeast asia. myanmar's per capita gd